Closure cap and sealed package

ABSTRACT

A two-piece closure cap is disclosed of the type used for sealing glass and other containers. The closure cap has an inner plastic ring which is snapped onto the mouth of the container and which has means on its outer surface for threadedly engaging an outer metal cover. In the initial sealing operation, the outer metal cover is first turned onto the plastic ring so that the cover and ring as a unit may be pressed directly downwardly onto the container with a bead on the inner plastic ring snapping into locking engagement with a cooperating groove in the container finish. A tamper-proof embodiment of the plastic ring has an outer tear-off band which at least partially covers the skirt of the metal cover thereby preventing its removal from a sealed container without the plastic band being first torn off.

United States Patent 1 i [111 3,746,199

Hart et al. July 17, 1973 CLOSURE CAP AND SEALED PACKAGE PrimarExaminerSamuel R. Rothber [75] Inventors: Alexander W. Hart; Daniel D.Acton, Ass'stant Emmmer stephen Garbe both of Lancaster Att0rneyN0rmanHolland [73] Assignee: Anchor Hocking Corporation, I

Lancaster, Ohio [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 14, 1971 A twopieeeclosure cap is disclosed of the type used [2]} Appl No.: 152,632 forsealing glass and other containers. The closure cap has an inner plasticring which is snapped onto the mouth of the container and which hasmeans on its Cl 215/40, 215/44, 215/46 A outer surface for threadedlyengaging an outer metal l 365d 53/00 cover. In the initial sealingoperation, the outer metal l l Field of Search 215/40 46 A cover isfirst turned onto the plastic ring so that the cover and ring as a unitmay be pressed directly downl l References Cited wardly onto thecontainer with a head on the inner UNITED STATES PATENTS plastic ringsnapping into locking engagement with a 3,603,472 9 1971 Lecinski et al.2|5 40 wopcrating gmovc in the comaiflcr finish- A p 3,338,446 8/1967Faulstieh 2,278,462 4/1942 Montelione.v 3,448,88] 6/]969 Zipper2,265,015 12/194] Watson 2] 5/44 215/46 A proof embodiment of theplastic ring has an outer tear 215/44 off hand which at least partiallycovers the skirt of the 21 metal cover thereby preventing its removalfrom a sealed container without the plastic band being first torn off.

6 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures Patented July 17, 1973 3 Shuts-Shut 1INVENTORS flaw/am 4/ Haw- By flaw/5c 0 Acre WW 5) Ali/w Patented July17, 1973 3,746,199

3 Shah-Shoo I:

INVENTORS WMWMKJ ,4 T OQAE'Y CLOSURE CAP AND SEALED PACKAGE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a closure cap of thetype used for sealing glass or other containers and more particularly toa two-piece closure adapted for press-on application and twist-offremoval.

Consumers of many packaged food and other products have indicated apreference for packages sealed with twist-off closures of the type whichmay be easily removed without implements and which may thereafter bereapplied any number of times for resealing the package. At the sametime, packers prefer closure caps which may be applied in the initialpackage sealing by a simple press-on sealing action without requiringthe closure cap to be twisted onto the container. In many operations andparticularly in certain lower volume operations, such a press-on sealingaction is more rapid and may be more economical.

While a variety of closure caps of this press-on twistoff type have beenproduced, there is still a need for one which combines press-ontwist-off capability with easy removal and reapplication in a cap whichresists insect infestation and which may be used on lightweight glassfinishes.

It has also been found desirable that such a cap be capable of beingsupplied for certain products with a tamperproof feature which wouldsignal an unauthorized removal or attempt to remove the closure cap fromthe sealed package. The two-piece cap in accordance with the presentinvention combines all of these features and is particularly useful forits ease of application and of removal and in its ability to be suppliedwith minor changes in a tamperproof version.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide animproved press-on twist-off closure cap for sealing glass and othercontainers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved insectresistant cap.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a press-ontwist-off cap characterized by a combined ease of application andreliability of seal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a press-ontwist-off cap for use on light-weight glass finishes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedpress-on twist-off tamperproof cap.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described orwill be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages notreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and isshown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification,wherein:

FIG. I is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of atwo-piece tamperproof closure cap and the related container inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sealed package in accordance with thepresent invention utilizing the closure cap of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating successive steps inthe removal of the closure cap illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section view of the preferred embodimentsof the closure cap and container taken along line 6-6 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of the outermetal cover.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged vertical sectional views of the threadedportion of the outer cover taken along lines 9-9 and 10l0 on FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment ofthe plastic ring of the closure cap of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are enlarged vertical sectional views of the closure capof FIG. 1 showing successive steps during the removal of thetamperproofing band and the metal outer cover.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the closure cap having lugs for engaging the plastic ring.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an alternativeembodiment of the closure cap and container.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an alternativeembodiment showing a unitary ring and sealing fitment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The closure cap 1 in accordancewith the present invention comprises two principal portions which are aninner molded plastic ring 2 which is snapped onto a container 3 and anouter metal cover 4 which is threadedly attached to the plastic ring 2.A principal function of the inner plastic ring 2 is to provide press-onsealing capabilities as the preferred ring includes an inwardlyprojecting bead or groove which snaps into a locking groove or beadprovided in the glass finish of the container. It will be seen that theclosure cap 1 may be pressed onto the container 3 during the sealingoperation by preassembling the metal cover 4 and the plastic ring 2 toform a unitary closure cap including a container sealing gasket 5provided on the bottom of the metal cover top 6.

A preferred embodiment of the inner plastic ring 2 is illustrated inFIGS. 1, 6 and 11 through 14. The generally circular ring 2 is seen toinclude an inwardly extending container 3 engaging bead 7. In itspreferred form, the bead 7 includes an inner slotted surface (FIG. 11)whose slots 8 interlock with complementary projections 9 (FIG. I)provided at the bottom of the bead receiving groove 10 on the container3 finish ll. When the closure cap 1 and the ring 2 are applied to thecontainer 3 as a unit, the ring slots 8 need not engage the containerprojections 9. When the closure cap 1 is twisted off by the packageuser, the initial turning of the ring 2 on the container will cause thecontainer projections 9 to engage the slots 8 in the ring 2 therebylocking the ring 2 against further rotation permitting the cap 1 to beremoved from the package. The outer surface of the plastic ring 2includes molded threads 12 for engaging cooperating threads 13 on theouter metal cover 4. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. I shows a numberof elongated overlapping threads 12 on ring 2 for engaging acorresponding number of threads 13 on the closure cap cover 4, however,other cover engaging means such as continuous threads or shorter lugsmay be used with appropriate engaging members being provided on themetal cover 4. Whatever particular container engaging means is used onthe metal cover, it is preferable to have a generally circular androunded lower edge 14 on the cover 4 skirt 15 which will engage anupwardly directed secondary sealing flange 16 on the plastic sealingring 2. This combination of the circular lower edge portion 14 and ofthe flange 16 provide a barrier for excluding dirt and insects from theinsides of the cover skirt 15.

The plastic ring 2 may be provided with the cross section illustrated inFIG. 14 in a non-tamperproof version or it may be provided in the formillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 where the removable tamperproofing band17 is provided as an integral portion of the molded ring 2. Thistamperproofing band 17 extends upwardly over a substantial portion ofthe skirt 15 of the outer metal cover 4 preventing the user from readilygripping a sufficiently large surface of the outer metal cover skirt 15to twist the cover 4 off. Before the metal outer cover 4 can be removed,it is necessary to remove the tamperproofing strip or band 17. Thistamperproofing means includes a gripping tab 18 on a tear strip 19 whichconnects the band 17 to the flange 16 by means of a series of bridges 20(FIG. 11) which are ruptured when the tear strip 19 is removed in themanner illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The container 3 finish 11 may be relatively thin as it does not requirethreads and need only include the shallow ring retention groove 7. Theclosure cap is thus suitable for sealing relatively lightweight glasscontainers and for sealing them with press-on twist-off caps.

The ring 3 is preferably molded and medium density polyethylene orpolypropylene may be used.

A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE OUTER METAL COVER A preferred embodimentof the outer cover 4 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10. This cover isillustrated as being formed of steel or aluminum plate although it mayalso be plastic. It has a generally cup-like shape with a top 6 and adepending skirt 15. The top 6 may have a recessed portion for providingthe usual package stacking panel 21 and preferably includes a downwardlyfacing channel 22 near its outer edge for receiving a flowed-in or othersealing gasket 5.

A preferred form of the cap skirt 15 is illustrated having a step 23 init upper portion. Four elongated ring engaging threads 13 are formed atthe lower edge of the skirt 15. These elongated threads 13 are formedusing expanding lugging tools to shape the threads 13 in a relativelylarge curled or rolled bead 24 (FIG. 9) previously formed at the loweredge of the cap skirt 15. This type of thread is seen to provide thegenerally circular lower cap skirt edge 14 to provide the abovedescribed secondary insect resistant sealing effect and also to providering 2 engaging threads 13 having relatively long bearing surfaces toprovide a firm connection within the normally desired range of closurecover removal torques.

Another embodiment of a two-piece cap 30, in accordance with the presentinvention, is illustrated in FIG. 14. The cap includes the principalelements described above for the caps of FIGS. 1 through 13 in somewhatdiffering form.

The inner plastic ring 31 is generally similar to ring 2 and includes aninwardly projecting head 32 for engaging a circular groove 33 adjacentthe rim 34 of the glass container 35 when the ring 31 or the ring andcap combination is pressed onto the container 35. An outer portion ofthe plastic ring 31 is provided with threads 36 for receiving inwardlyturned lugs 37 formed at the lower edge of the cap skirt 38. A plastisolor other gasket 40 is provided on the bottom of the cap cover top 41.While the embodiment of the plastic ring 31 illustrated in FIG. 14 doesnot includes a tamperproofing outer band, one may be provided extendingupwardly over a substantial portion of the closure cap skirt 38, asdescribed above, making removal of the closure cap 30 difficult withoutthe prior removal of the band.

An insect barrier is formed between the lower edge 39 of the cap skirt38 and a ledge 42 on the ring 31.

A third embodiment of the two-piece closure cap is illustrated in FIG.15. This two-piece cap includes an outer metal cover 51 and an innerplastic ring 52 generally similar to those described above but havingseveral differing features. The two-piece closure cap 50 is shownapplied to a container 53 having a groove 54 in its finish adjacent therim 55 for receiving and interlocking with an inwardly projecting beadon the plastic ring 52. Suitable slots 57 are provided in the ring 52for interlocking with projections 58 extending outwardly in the groove54 in the glass finish 59. While the closure cap 1 may include a sealinggasket on the underside of its cover 60 similar to that described aboveat 5 and 40, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 omits such a gasketand obtains a metal seal between the comer portion of the step 61 in thecap skirt 62 and a correspondingly shaped step or ledge 63 provided atthe top of the plastic ring 52. When the outer metal cover 51 is screwedonto the plastic ring 52 with the cover threads 64 engaging threads 65on the plastic ring 52, a primary seal is formed between the steppedportion of the cover 61 and the ledge 63. A secondary seal or barrier isformed between the rounded lower edge 66 of the cap skirt 62 and thebottom ledge 67 on the plastic ring 52.

FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of the twopiece closure cap wherethe inner plastic ring 72 is pro vided with an upper sealing portion 74which engages the top, edge, and side of the container finish so that itacts as a sealing gasket for the adjacent outer metal cover 70.

It will be seen that an improved press-on twist-off closure cap has beenprovided for sealing glass or other containers. The improved cap permitssimplified sealing operations since it may be applied during the initialpackage sealing operation by a simple press-on action. Thereafter, andwhile in use by the consumer, the cap may be removed and reapplied witha twisting motion in the manner now preferred by many consumers.

An additional important feature of the cap is the combination of atamperproofing means with the above described press-on twist-off featurewhich signals and tends to eliminate unauthorized or premature openingof the container during shipment or display in the market place.

It is therefore seen that the above described closure cap provides animproved press-on twist-off tamperfrom the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A composite closure cap for sealing a container comprising thecombination of:

a plastic ring having a radially inwardly projecting circular bead forengaging a complementary groove in the container;

said ring having radially outwardly projecting threads for engaging acap cover;

a metal cap cover having a top and a depending skirt with threadengaging means on said skirt for removably engaging said threads on saidring;

container engaging means on said circular bead for engaging rotationpreventing means in the container groove for preventing rotation of saidring on the container;

said plastic ring having a circular surface below said projectingthreads positioned adjacent the lower edge of the cap cover skirt forforming a barrier therewith;

a sealing gasket in said cap cover positioned for sealing engagementwith the container rim; and

a generally cylindrical plastic tamperproofing band extending upwardlyfrom said circular surface of the ring and overlying a substantialportion of said cap cover skirt for barring access to that portion saidband being removably attached to said ring by means of a plurality ofspaced bridges, said bridges and said band being integral with saidring.

2. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 in which said thread engagingmeans on said cap cover comprises an inwardly turned bead on the loweredge of said skirt having screw threads therein.

3. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 in which said sealing gasketcomprises the upper portion of said ring.

4. A sealed package comprising the combination of:

a container having a relatively narrow groove encircling its rim;

a plastic ring on the container rim having a locking bead engaged bysaid groove and having outwardly projecting threads;

cooperating locking means in said groove and on said ring for preventingrelative rotation of said ring and said container;

a metal cap cover having a top and a depending skirt with threadengaging means on said skirt engaging the ring threads;

said ring having a circular surface below said projecting threadspositioned adjacent the lower edge of the cover skirt for forming abarrier therewith;

a sealing gasket in said cover engaging the rim of said container; and

a generally cylindrical plastic tamperproofing band extending upwardlyfrom said circular surface of said ring and overlying a substantialportion of said cap cover skirt for barring access to that portion saidband being removably attached to said ring by means of a plurality ofspaced bridges, said bridges and said band being integral with saidring.

5. The package as claimed in claim 4 in which said thread engaging meanson said cap cover comprises an inwardly turned bead on the lower edge ofsaid skirt having screw threads therein.

6. The package as claimed in claim 4 in which said sealing gasketcomprises the upper portion of said ring. t

1. A composite closure cap for sealing a container comprising thecombination of: a plastic ring having a radially inwardly projectingcircular bead for engaging a complementary groove in the container; saidring having radially outwardly projecting threads for engaging a capcover; a metal cap cover having a top and a depending skirt with threadengaging means on said skirt for removably engaging said threads on saidring; container engaging means on said circular bead for engagingrotation preventing means in the container groove for preventingrotation of said ring on the container; said plastic ring having acircular surface below said projecting threads positioned adjacent thelower edge of the cap cover skirt for forming a barrier therewith; asealing gasket in said cap cover positioned for sealing engagement withthe container rim; and a generally cylindrical plastic tamperproofingband extending upwardly from said circular surface of the ring andoverlying a substantial portion of said caP cover skirt for barringaccess to that portion said band being removably attached to said ringby means of a plurality of spaced bridges, said bridges and said bandbeing integral with said ring.
 2. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1in which said thread engaging means on said cap cover comprises aninwardly turned bead on the lower edge of said skirt having screwthreads therein.
 3. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 in which saidsealing gasket comprises the upper portion of said ring.
 4. A sealedpackage comprising the combination of: a container having a relativelynarrow groove encircling its rim; a plastic ring on the container rimhaving a locking bead engaged by said groove and having outwardlyprojecting threads; cooperating locking means in said groove and on saidring for preventing relative rotation of said ring and said container; ametal cap cover having a top and a depending skirt with thread engagingmeans on said skirt engaging the ring threads; said ring having acircular surface below said projecting threads positioned adjacent thelower edge of the cover skirt for forming a barrier therewith; a sealinggasket in said cover engaging the rim of said container; and a generallycylindrical plastic tamperproofing band extending upwardly from saidcircular surface of said ring and overlying a substantial portion ofsaid cap cover skirt for barring access to that portion said band beingremovably attached to said ring by means of a plurality of spacedbridges, said bridges and said band being integral with said ring. 5.The package as claimed in claim 4 in which said thread engaging means onsaid cap cover comprises an inwardly turned bead on the lower edge ofsaid skirt having screw threads therein.
 6. The package as claimed inclaim 4 in which said sealing gasket comprises the upper portion of saidring.